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Irish lawmakers battle over new date for election

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[January 24, 2011]  DUBLIN (AP) -- Irish government officials are meeting with opposition lawmakers to agree on a schedule for passing a spending bill, dissolving Ireland's parliament and confirming a date for early elections.

InsuranceMonday's negotiations at the Finance Department follow a week of political turmoil capped by the withdrawal of Prime Minister Brian Cowen's coalition partners, the Green Party. Cowen has lost his parliamentary majority.

Opposition leaders insist the government must agree to pass the Finance Bill and dissolve parliament by Friday. If Cowen refuses, they threaten to oust him in a parliamentary vote.

Most analysts consider Feb. 25 the most likely new election date. Cowen last week declared that early elections would take place March 11.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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